by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
City Council member Mia Jones will introduce legislation tonight to rename land at Cecil Commerce Center for Taye Brown, who was killed in an automobile accident last summer. Brown served as the Better Jacksonville Plan project manager for the Equestrian Center and Sports Complex at Cecil Commerce Center.
As outlined in the bill, a sign denoting the new name — Taye Brown Regional Park — would be installed following a dedication ceremony later this year.
“The property on which those facilities are built is actually considered a regional park, and it’s large enough to meet the acreage requirement.” said Jones. “And I just think it is both timely and appropriate to name it in his honor because it is something he worked very hard for.”
Brown, a close friend of Jones’ for several years, assisted in her campaign last year.
Shortly after Brown’s death, Jones said she received several phone calls requesting the Equestrian Center be used to commemorate him in some way.
“But I understand the importance of retaining the naming rights for the facilities themselves,” said Jones. “I know it is a creative and important funding source, and under this resolution, the City would still have the option to market them however they wanted.”
SMG, which manages the Equestrian Center, is expected to market the naming rights to subsidize a $5 million private funding shortfall.
“It’s been a real learning process, but with the understanding that we keep that funding opportunity, I think this bill is still in line with the City’s best interests,” said Jones. “It was challenging to give (Brown) a proper tribute without infringing on those rights, but I think this is the best option.”
Following the bill’s introduction, it is expected to be reviewed in the Council’s Rules Committee where Jones said a strong base of support already exists.
“At this point, I have most of the Council co-sponsoring this with me, but I would like this to be a Council amendment,” she said.
Among the more vocal supporters are Council members Jerry Holland and Sharon Copeland.
“I feel very strongly that something out there should be named for Taye Brown,” said Copeland. “Something significant.”
Council vice president Elaine Brown and Council member Art Graham agreed, but added they would need complete assurance all other naming rights would remain intact.
“I need to get a better look at what’s being proposed and I think a lot of discussion will probably take place,” said Graham. “However, I know many from the City want to recognize (Brown) for all the good work he did and all the money he saved on that project.”